Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s charismatic winger, finds himself at a career crossroads as speculation swirls about a potential move to Serie A, where he could reunite with former teammate Kevin De Bruyne at Napoli. The 29-year-old England international, who joined City for a record-breaking £100 million in 2021, has seen his role diminish under Pep Guardiola, starting just seven Premier League matches in the 2024-25 season. With his contract running until 2027, Grealish’s limited minutes and omission from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad have fueled rumors of an imminent departure, with Napoli emerging as a tantalizing destination to revive his career.
Grealish’s time at Manchester City has been a tale of highs and lows. His pivotal role in the 2022-23 treble-winning campaign showcased his flair, with five goals and 11 assists across 50 appearances. However, injuries and competition from wingers like Jérémy Doku and Savinho have seen him relegated to the bench, managing only one goal and one assist in the Premier League last season. Guardiola has been candid about Grealish’s situation, emphasizing the need for regular play. “Of course Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it. With us or another place,” Guardiola said, leaving the door open for a move. His comments reflect a pragmatic stance, acknowledging Grealish’s quality while hinting at a squad overhaul.
Napoli, fresh off their second Serie A title in three years under Antonio Conte, presents an intriguing possibility. The Italian club has already signed De Bruyne, whose contract with City expired in June 2025, marking the end of a decade-long stint. Grealish and De Bruyne, who played 92 matches together at City with five joint goal participations, could rekindle their on-field chemistry in Naples. Reports suggest Grealish recently visited the Amalfi Coast, training diligently at a local facility. “Grealish has booked our sports facility for the whole week, from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, he might pop over to Naples. He trained very seriously, like a true professional,” a local source noted, adding fuel to the speculation. When fans asked about a potential Napoli move, Grealish’s response—laughter and winks, with a quip, “You already have De Bruyne in Napoli”—kept the rumors alive.
Conte, a known admirer of Grealish, sees the winger as a potential left-sided attacker to complement recent signing Noa Lang. However, financial hurdles loom large. Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages pose a challenge, with City likely needing to subsidize a portion to facilitate a transfer. Napoli’s interest is not exclusive, as they’ve also been linked with Raheem Sterling and other wingers like Bologna’s Dan Ndoye. “Napoli have been offered the possibility to sign Sterling. Let’s see what Napoli decides to do,” transfer expert Fabrizio Romano commented, indicating Conte’s desire to bolster the attack. Despite earlier hesitation due to Grealish’s salary, Napoli’s ambition to compete in the Champions League makes the move plausible.
Grealish’s camp remains tight-lipped, but his desire for regular minutes is clear, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. Omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad, Grealish is desperate to impress new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel, who has suggested a move to a Champions League club could revive his international prospects. A return to Aston Villa, where he was captain before joining City, has been mooted, but Villa’s financial constraints make it unlikely. Other Premier League clubs like Tottenham, Newcastle, and Everton have shown interest, while Bayer Leverkusen, coached by Erik ten Hag, is another European option. “It’s just getting away and playing,” former City striker Paul Dickov said, emphasizing Grealish’s need for a fresh start. “I don’t buy into the fact that Jack Grealish has been a flop at Manchester City. He was by far the club’s best player in the treble-winning season.”
A move to Serie A, with its slower pace compared to the Premier League, could suit Grealish’s flair and ball-carrying ability. “If given the freedom to be the winger he was at Aston Villa by Conte, that would see the 29-year-old cause havoc in Italy,” one observer noted. As Grealish trains alone at City’s facilities, awaiting a transfer, the prospect of reuniting with De Bruyne in Naples offers a chance to rediscover his spark. With City open to a loan or permanent deal, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Grealish can reignite his career under the Italian sun.
Leave a Reply